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DuPont, Craft He Drove to Border

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July 3/ 1939

Richard "Dick" duPont shown in the cockpit of his German-made sailplane in which he soared 110 miles to Pulaski, 28 miles from the Canadian border. DuPont reached an unofficial altitude of 6,500 feet which may be a new American record. He holds the present record of 6,224 feet, made June 30, 1934.

July 3 1937
Glider Spin Hurts Youth; DuPont Soars 110 Miles

A freak "funnel" wind sent Ben Badenoch, 19, of West Newton, Mass., spinning to the ground Friday about 3:30 p. m., and through the same atmosphere went the short wave radio message that summoned physician and ambulance, ten seconds before the crash.
Badenoch was launched from Steffin Hill at 1:55 p. m. and almost immediately found slope upper-currents to soar along the ridge leading south. Prof. R. E. Franklin in charge of activities on the newly acquired site, said Badenoch's ship, a MIT entry, was performing smoothly when suddenly one wing swung high and it spun nose first 100 feet to the slope on the west side of the Hill.
Has Leg Fracture
Professor Franklin, long an authority on motorless craft, and designer of the type glider that bears his name, said the performance of the ship indicated it had been pulled into the funnel shape down draft, and that the altitude was insufficient to come out of the spin.

Soaring weather predictions by Ethan A. Murphy: Probable early showers followed by clearing skies. Moderate to fresh southwest winds shifting to west or northwest, then diminishing. Fair soaring conditions.